Topspin

Pronunciation varies by accent · noun

Meaning

A rotational motion, especially that given to a ball, in which the upper surface spins in the direction of motion..

Definitions by Sense

1. A rotational motion, especially that given to a ball, in which the upper surface spins in the direction of motion.
2. (uncountable, television, film, publishing) An edgy, quirky or otherwise engaging quality that holds the interest of the audience.
3. (transitive) To spin (a ball) with this motion.

Example Sentences

The tennis star was famed for her topspin.

2016, Quentin Letts, "A Very English Scandal: sex, lies and a murder plot at the heart of the establishment by John Preston - review" (in Evening Standard, 28 April 2016) https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/books/a-very-english-scandal-sex-lies-and-a-murder-plot-at-the-heart-of-the-establishment-by-john-preston-a3236271.html This fluent, readable book has certainly been polished with a fair degree of what Fleet Street feature editors once called topspin: “Give it some topspin, old boy. Make the copy sing.” In this John Preston more than succeeds.

Well remembered as a visual comedienne, she also had the verbal knack of putting all sorts of topspin on a line.

Flashdance had a quality known as top spin, in which the casting, the concept and the look and sound of the movie all come together.

He could keep winning through attrition, with a relentless barrage of topspinning ground strokes and a tireless defense of his own side, where would-be winners go to die.

Synonyms for topspin

Antonyms for topspin

Related Words

Word Forms

• topspins
• topspinning
• topspun

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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